China 
Africa 
Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Diseases of the Nervous System
Published in George Feuer, Felix A. de la Iglesia, Molecular Biochemistry of Human Disease, 2020
George Feuer, Felix A. de la Iglesia
Snake venoms contain a complex mixture of toxic proteins which act on several organs with ensuing neurotoxicity or hemolysis.589 Snake neurotoxins are rapidly absorbed from subcutaneous tissues and distributed throughout the body, with high concentration at the motor end plates, where the primary action manifests. Scorpion venoms or scorpamines are lethal neurotoxins. They contain small basic proteins and hyaluronidase which increase capillary permeability. The mechanism of action of these toxins resides in the presence of disulfide bridges and lysine residues.71,168,411 Certain spider’s bites cause a variety of signs, ranging from local pain and necrosis to systemic hemolysis and nervous system dysfunction. Tarantulas secrete occasionally toxic venom, but the most toxic is the black widow spider, Lactrodectus mactans, which causes frequent and severe neurologic dysfunction.,71,589 Bee stings can exert nervous system actions. Severe anaphylactic reactions are accompanied by cerebral edema and vascular congestion. Widespread demyelination can exert effects on the peripheral and central nervous system. A relationship has been reported between the action of bee stings and local mononeuropathies.508
Snake Envenomation
Published in Stephen M. Cohn, Peter Rhee, 50 Landmark Papers, 2019
The care for the wounds is relatively simple and includes cleaning, delayed debridement, prevention of secondary infection, and hygienic conservative wound care. Occasionally the edema can cause compartment syndrome. The wounds should not be incised or sucked, and tourniquets are ill-advised. The majority of snakebites nationwide occur in men on their lower and upper extremity. The threat of loss of tissue and limb function, and ambiguity over the type of snake that might have caused the envenomation, has resulted in a substantial demand for antivenom. The venom can cause local symptoms of pain, redness, and blistering. Systemic symptoms of feeling faint, fear, lightheadedness, tachycardia, nausea, and vomiting have all been reported. Systemic problems of anaphylaxis, coagulopathy, renal failure, respiratory failure, and death are uncommon but have occurred.
Scorpions
Published in Gail Miriam Moraru, Jerome Goddard, The Goddard Guide to Arthropods of Medical Importance, Seventh Edition, 2019
Gail Miriam Moraru, Jerome Goddard
Scorpions are eight-legged arthropods that can inflict a painful sting. Over 1700 species occur worldwide on all major land masses except Antarctica.1 Some species are more dangerous than others, depending on the type of venom. Size and appearance do not determine the medical importance of a scorpion; for example, scorpions in the genera Pandinus and Heterometrus (Old World) and Hadrurus (New World) may be huge with large pedipalps and appear menacing, but they constitute no serious health hazard. Most of these species can elicit local effects by their stings in a manner similar to that of bees and wasps; Centruroides vittatus is a common offender in the southwestern United States (see box). There is immediate sharp pain at the site of venom injection and often moderate local edema (which may be discolored). Dr. Scott Stockwell, formerly at the Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit, compared the sting to hitting one’s thumb with a hammer. Regional lymph node enlargement, local itching, paresthesia, fever, and occasionally nausea and vomiting may also occur.2 Signs and symptoms in a person stung by a scorpion with this type of venom usually subside in a few hours; however, it must be noted that a person with insect sting allergy could have a systemic reaction from this type of venom.
A systematic review of the bioprospecting potential of Lonomia spp. (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)
Published in Toxin Reviews, 2023
Henrique G. Riva, Angela R. Amarillo-S.
On the other hand, the only lonomic antivenom production technique that was found in this review was the purification of immunized horse serum (Da Silva 2003). However, several other techniques have been described for the production of antivenom to treat accidents with other venomous animals, such as the production of antibodies derived from chicken eggs against coral snake venom (Aguilar et al.2014); the use of sheep instead of horses to manufacture crotalid antivenom (against rattlesnake venom) (Ferreira Junior et al.2010); and the recombinant production of specific antibodies, eliminating the need to immunize animals (Alvarenga et al.2014). Therefore, further research with different animal models and production techniques would help to achieve a model of production that could be less expensive or be beneficial from the perspective of animal welfare (Araújo et al.2010, Liu et al.2017).
Snake venom toxins targeting the central nervous system
Published in Toxin Reviews, 2023
Amit Talukdar, Priya Maddhesiya, Nima Dondu Namsa, Robin Doley
Over the last few decades, researchers have investigated the interactions of various snake venom components with the CNS. However, there is a lack of sufficient investigations available for the PNS and specific tissues and organs. The typical nature of the BBB which acts as a permeability barrier poses a major hurdle in understanding the interaction of venoms with the CNS. However, the discovery of snake venom peptides capable of crossing the BBB has provided a significant boost to the research area. Scientists are now able to deliver drugs through the bloodstream to the CNS by conjugating the drug molecule with some snake venom peptides. Also, studies on the snake venom peptides have made it possible to design different synthetic peptides to specifically target receptors in the CNS. This has complemented the research on targeted drug delivery for the treatment of various nervous conditions such as pain, anxiety, tumors, and neurodegenerative diseases. A lot of snake venom peptides are yet to be identified and understanding the structure-function relationship with receptors present in the brain would lead to the discovery of receptor-specific molecules for neurological therapies.
Inhibition of Echis ocellatus venom metalloprotease by flavonoid-rich ethyl acetate sub-fraction of Moringa oleifera (Lam.) leaves: in vitro and in silico approaches
Published in Toxin Reviews, 2022
Akindele Oluwatosin Adeyi, Kaosarat Keji Mustapha, Babafemi Siji Ajisebiola, Olubisi Esther Adeyi, Damilohun Samuel Metibemu, Raphael Emuebie Okonji
The use of antivenin is the only specific treatment for snakebite envenoming. However, studies have shown that antivenin often induces clinical symptoms such as anaphylactic shock combined with ineffectiveness against local tissue damage caused by venoms (Gutierrez et al.1998). This has therefore necessitated the need for alternative snake venom inhibitors, which can be synthetic or natural to help overcome antivenin limitations. Furthermore, inhibition of SVMPs and other components may result in a significant overall reduction in local tissue damage following the envenomation. Consequently, the search for SVMP inhibitors has become an important research target (Mendes et al.2013). Studies have reported inhibition of snake venom enzymes using plant secondary metabolites (Cavalcante et al.2007, Pithayanukul et al.2010, Vale et al.2011).